It is provided a method of converting a diaryl ether source such as lignin and/or polyphenylene oxide (PPO) containing 4-O-5 linkages and an inorganic chemical such as ammonia into an organic compound, comprising reacting said diaryl ether source with the inorganic chemical in presence of a catalyst, preferably palladium, transforming the 4-O-5 linkages of said diaryl ether source into the organic compound. It is provided a palladium-catalyzed synthesis of aniline derivatives from 4-O-5 linkage lignin model compounds and cheap industrial inorganic chemical ammonia via dual C(Ar)—O bond cleavage.